Authorities Raid Underground Foreign Bar in Central Chiang Mai, Find Myanmar Musicians and Staff Throughout
Authorities raided an underground bar in central Chiang Mai on May 24 and arrested 12 Myanmar nationals for violating work permit regulations after neighbors complained of repeated noise disturbances.
Authorities Raid Underground Foreign Bar in Central Chiang Mai, Find Myanmar Musicians and Staff Throughout after residents complained of repeated noise disturbances. On May 24, 2026, an investigation team led by Pol. Capt. Avirud Sukhaem from the Crime Suppression Division 2, along with Chang Phueak Police Station officers, conducted a raid on a bar and karaoke establishment in downtown Chiang Mai following complaints about noise pollution from a venue operating as a Myanmar migrant worker network that had previously caused disturbances multiple times.
The operation resulted in the arrest of 12 Myanmar nationals working as musicians and bar staff who held work permits but were not properly registered with their employers. They were charged under the Alien Workers Act for failing to notify the registrar of their employers and workplace within 15 days of starting work. According to testimony from waitstaff, the underground bar has been operating since the Songkran festival period and primarily serves Myanmar customers and migrant workers, with a Thai manager overseeing operations.
All suspects have been transferred to Chang Phueak Police Station for legal proceedings. Authorities are currently investigating the financial trail, employers, and the capital groups backing the operation for further expansion of charges.
